Have You Done Your Pilates Today?

Have you done your Pilates today?

I have. And I must say, it makes me proud, it makes me energized. It makes me aware of the "dead" muscles I have.

Take a deep breath in, she says.

And then:

Take a deep breath out. And somewhere between the inhale and the exhale, you are reminded to think about all the good things in your life.

And you smile.

I've been learning something lately: consistency is one of the most powerful qualities we can bring into our lives.

Not perfection.

Not doing everything, every day, without fail.

Consistency.

We often hear:

Hey, you must start working your muscles, protect your joints, be careful with your posture, respect your sleep and bedtime, eat well, stay active. Do yoga, try meditation, a stress-free life, avoid toxic people, learn to say "no" more often.

One day, you look around, and you feel you must follow a set of rules, the golden recommendations, be strict with your life agenda, or you just simply lose the race and feel like the one staying at the back of the classroom.

Am I not making this life worth living?

Just think simpler. If you have some spare time, try Pilates.

Start there, and perhaps everything else will fall into place much more easily.

Life, in general.

But Why Is Pilates So Amazing and Vital?

One of the main reasons Pilates is so effective is that it challenges the body so intensely that you become aware of the imbalances, in your daily life, that you can correct.

Your strength.

Your breathing.

Your posture.

Your weaknesses.

Suddenly, you can get that set of keys that you drop on the floor without a back muscle sprained. Walking and hiking without the constant fear of having a bone fracture. You can, finally, play with the kids with enough oxygen and with no need of getting admitted to an ICU.

You are not feeling that lack of energy anymore.

The endurance is there, for real. We have gained capacity.

There is sufficient scientific evidence supporting that ageing is associated with changes in muscle strength, body composition, and physical function.

The loss of muscle mass and neuromuscular changes can contribute to reduced physical resilience and ability to respond to adverse events. Stress will become harder to tolerate. Daily tasks can start to feel like a burden, and even those moments with friends that you once looked forward to may no longer feel the same.

We can approach this as a public health issue, or we can see it as a trigger for change. An opportunity to find tailored interventions that can help maintain and improve your strength, flexibility, endurance, balance.

And of course, CORE.

You listen: CORE.

You think: CORE.

You work: CORE.

In every aspect of your life.

You squat.

You hinge.

You lunge.

You push.

You pull.

You twist.

You carry.

You breathe.

And the next day, you repeat it.

Because consistency will often take you further than intensity ever could.

Your mind becomes more focused.

Your body becomes more capable.

The mat becomes your best friend and the next session is non-negotiable.

So, take a deep breath in.

Take a deep breath out.

And smile.

You love your body, and I am sure you deserve this.